this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2025

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What launcher do you use? I'm looking to drop Kvaesitso (lemmy.ca)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

72 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I previously used Nova and finally moved to the open source side with Kvaesitso. I didn't like using a search focused launcher at first, but I decided to try and use it for a few months to get used to it. What I've found is that:

I barely ever scroll down into the widgets menu and so I don't make use to widgets as much as I'd like to
Even after carefully setting up the search settings, I find it unintuitive and prefer to use specific apps for specific tasks
I like having apps sorted by tags, but the tiny moving pill shape icons aren't as nice as if I had folders on my desktop

The biggest problem now is that Kvaesitso is draining my battery for some reason. Battery usage says that it used 27% of my battery today.

I think I gave it a fair shot, and I'd like to try something new.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

i been trying folder luancher also on fdroid

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I'm currently trying fast draw, it was in fdroid 🤷‍♂️

Kinda like smart launcher where you set up categories along the bottom, can select a widget at the top. I miss being able to search for a specific app but it's usable.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

I'm using ADW Launcher EX 1.3.4.0 which is about a decade old now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

I've used NOVA launcher for like a decade

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

I'm also a nova refugee after loving it for years. Currently using Before. It's list based that functionally makes me use search a lot. But it's quick, clean and while not particularly feature rich. It does have a lot of personalization and customization, such as setting any font type ya can download.

I renamed all my apps to what they are actually used for. Where? is maps, What? is my to do list, Huh? controls my hearing aid.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

I use whatever the stock launcher of the ROM is...

I am a full screen gestures user and for me the 3rd party launchers are broken since A12, or probably before that, even with usage of the GestureNavContract API they are still not smooth enough for me...

With that said, if you are rooted you can get away from that limitation with Lawnchair and quickSwitch, or if you use navigation buttons you are gold with almost all the launchers I'd say.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

I am a fan of KISS, a rather simple launcher. It is also a search-based launcher.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I would suggest Octopi Launcher. Started using during the alpha and switched back and forth between it and Nova. But now I am fully on Octopi. I really like the widget stacking, now I just have one page homescreen. The dev recently implemented drawer categories and tags. The dev is active and listens to feedback on the subreddit.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm still using Nova as it's so feature-rich. I've had 0 problems with it, but I had no idea people were dropping it. Also had no idea it for bought out either, so maybe it's time to look into using another launcher instead...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm also on Nova for now, but I disabled the updates. You can never be too sure once a project changes hands like that.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I really like nova, I just want customized icons with no text, which for some reason nothing else will do. search based is pointless to me, I barely have one screen of apps... nova is fine for this but I did block it from all network connections after the sale happened

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

Kvaesitso has drained less than 3% of my battery every day for the last week. > 20% sounds like an unusual amount of drain

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I so much wish there was a replacement for the now abandoned ADW Launcher (both 1 and 2). I am currently stuck on Nova now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

ADW 1.3.3.9/1.3.4.0 still works fine, at least till android 12 :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Niagara, but I've also been trying out Octopi every now and then, it's still in beta and there are certain features missing but it feels like it has potential to fully replace Nova.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I used Nova for years as it was the most feature-rich and customizable. Then I switched to Niagara for a while which was a nice change.

Now I use Neo because it's FOSS and it does what I need it to.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Neo launcher does everything I need it to

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

I used or for years, but few bugs and no updates since 2022 killed it for me. Actually sad. Ended in lawnchair

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Have you remembered Charles' present?

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